This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see the following summaries of our selection of
South African labour-related articles.
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Wheels start rolling to withdraw SA soldiers from DRC City Press reports that the end is in sight for the SA soldiers deployed on a disastrous peace mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Approximately 2,000 South African soldiers are deployed in the DRC as part of SADC Mission in the DRC (Samidrc), the SADC's regional force in the DRC. Although their withdrawal still needs to be approved at a special summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reports suggest that the wheels are in motion following a high-level virtual meeting last week of all countries contributing soldiers to Samidrc. The proposed withdrawal will occur in phases, but the exact details and timelines have yet to be worked out. It is uncertain whether SA will be able to take all its armaments and equipment with them when they return. The planned withdrawal, proposed by the defence chiefs of the three countries involved as the only option, is subject to a sustained ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations in this violence-stricken area. The Congolese rebel group M23 took control of Goma, the capital of South Kivu, in January, as well as Bukavu, the capital of North Kivu. Fourteen South African soldiers were killed in the battle for Goma. After the rebels took control of Goma, the South Africans were restricted to their main base at Sake and the Goma airport. They also had to lock up their firearms in the units' weapons containers. They rely on the rebels for their daily bread. While the group at Sake has some room for movement within the base area, the soldiers at the airport are tightly guarded by the M23 rebels. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscriber access only)
Fugitive wanted for murder of senior Mpumalanga cop arrested inside clothing store after two months on the run News24 reports that a fugitive wanted in connection with the hit on a Mpumalanga senior police officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Piet Pretorius, has been arrested after nearly two months on the run. Pretorius had been the commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit. The man, in his 30s, was arrested on Saturday by members of the local police and the Hawks. He was arrested inside a clothing shop in Komatipoort. He was wearing dirty and broken clothes. According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the police received a tip-off from community members. The man is expected to make a court appearance soon. He will join five co-accused, including former police officer Mthobisi Nkosi. On 16 January, the six allegedly ambushed Pretorius, 59, who was shot execution-style in Ermelo. Five of the suspects were arrested in less than 12 hours by Hawks officers in Nelspruit. Only one of the suspect has applied for bail and her application will continue on 12 March in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscriber access only) Family of JMPD officer shot dead in her car outside her home on Saturday devastated SABC News reports that the family members of an off-duty Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer who was fatally shot in her car outside her home in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, on Friday are devastated. Judith Makwela was rushed to the Edenvale Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Makwela’s son and a bystander were also shot at the scene and are currently in hospital. Makwela’s daughter said they were distraught as her father was also shot and killed five years ago. The Sandringham SA Police Service attended to the crime scene and opened a murder case for further investigation. "The suspect is allegedly known but still at large. The JMPD is working with SAPS to provide all necessary support in their investigation," said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla. Based on reports at SABC News and EWN Cape Town metro cop wounded as Elsies River residents turn on officers News24 reports that a City of Cape Town metro police officer was wounded at one of two Elsies River houses he and his colleagues went to investigate on Thursday night. The officers were on patrol in the area when they heard gunshots just before 18:30 and were directed to two houses. Firearms were stored said to be stored at the houses. "At the first house, officers found a 54-year-old matching the description given – he led them to a cupboard with a 9mm pistol and three rounds of ammunition and was taken into custody," metro police spokesperson Ruth Solomons reported. It later emerged that the firearm was reported lost at Manenberg police station last year. At the second house, a group of community members became unruly and started throwing stones at the officers. Someone then opened fire, hitting one of the officers in the leg. "He has received medical treatment and has since been discharged from hospital. No arrests were made during this incident - a case of attempted murder has been opened at Elsies River SAPS for further investigation," Solomons indicated. Elsies River Safety Initiative spokesperson Imraahn Mukaddam said that officers were being targeted because they were sent into the area without proper protection. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Hefty sentences for stock thieves who brutally killed two North West cops and burnt them in bakkie News24 reports that three men who were found guilty of murdering two North West police officers and setting them alight in their vehicle have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Benjamin Kerneels Jacobs, Gaorekwe Jeremiah Mongale and Rapula George Keaikitse were sentenced by the North West High Court in Mahikeng on Friday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused were convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial. A fourth accused Mathews Modukanele was sentenced to five years for stock theft, 15 years for robbery aggravating circumstances, 10 years for each count of kidnapping, and four years for malicious property damage. A fifth accused turned state witness. The convictions stem from a July 2021 incident in which the two police officers from Mareetsane police station stopped a vehicle carrying 18 goats. The four occupants failed to provide a valid permit for transporting the livestock and were instructed to follow the officers to the police station. "On the way, the suspects' vehicle experienced mechanical issues, prompting them to ask the officers for assistance. As one officer attempted to secure a tow rope, the suspects attacked both officers with hammers, restrained them with a rope, and loaded them into the back of the police van. Later, authorities discovered a burnt police vehicle at Mosita Wildlife Farm near Vryburg, with two bodies inside, burnt beyond recognition," the NPA reported. The vehicle with the charred bodies was confirmed to be the SAPS bakkie that the officers had used. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Sandton restaurant shooting which killed businessman and two guards sparks debate over regulation of private bodyguards News24 reports that the fatal shooting at the upscale Solo restaurant in Sandton on Thursday evening, in which three people were killed and four others injured, has ignited a debate within the Gauteng legislature concerning the regulation of private bodyguards and their weapons. Chairperson of the community safety portfolio committee, Dr Bandile Masuku, addressed the media on Friday during the release of the provincial quarterly crime statistics. He expressed concerns about the intimidating presence of private bodyguards openly carrying rifles. Masuku said these concerns had been communicated to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, urging for regulatory measures to be imposed on private bodyguards. The shooting at Solo restaurant involved prominent businessman Sphamandla Mabonga and his bodyguards. Mabonga and two of his bodyguards attempted to enter the restaurant armed. An argument ensued, which escalated into a lethal gunfight between Mabonga's bodyguards and the venue's security personnel. Two of the bodyguards were later declared dead at the scene. Mabonga was declared dead on arrival at hospital. A community policing forum member, two patrons, and a security guard, were wounded and also taken to hospital. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Businessman Sphamandla Mabonga killed at Solo restaurant, at News24
Jobs on the line as African Rainbow Minerals cuts costs at Bokoni platinum mines BL Premium reports that African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) has scaled back on mechanised development at its Bokoni Platinum Mines in Limpopo and will restructure the operation to stop the cash bleed in a low metal price environment. ARM, chaired by billionaire Patrice Motsepe, on Friday reported a 49% decline in group headline earnings for the six months ended 31 December. Speaking at the results presentation, Motsepe said he was looking to ensure a balance of the company’s capital allocation discipline and investment across its portfolio. He added that Bokoni remained a world-class ore body given its high grade and high quality. But, he went on to indicate: “We have to ensure every cent we spend there is appropriate and makes commercial sense, and is also part of the long-term strategy of realising value when the prices of the commodities increase, which we expect. Also important is all of the assets we operate; there are no holy cows, and this is critical.” CEO Phillip Tobias said Bokoni was the biggest contributor to losses in the platinum division and cost-cutting, including restructuring, would turn the ship around. “We have stopped the mechanised development, we are redeploying those efforts to focus on available stoping and increasing the feed grade into our concentrator. We have issued a section 189 process to right-size the mine,” and the consultation process was underway Tobias advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Tshiamiso Trust reaches R2bn milestone, but Richard Spoor says the trust is still not on track BL Premium reports that the Tshiamiso Trust, established to carry out the terms of a landmark silicosis and TB class action settlement agreement in 2019, has reached R2bn in payments to former gold mineworkers and their families. According to CEO Munyadziwa Kwinda, the R2bn milestone was a collective victory. He attributed the trust’s progress to “remarkable collaboration of all our stakeholders”. The milestone reflects a positive effect on more than 21,000 families and is the largest payout made by a compensation organisation in the SA mining sector, according to the trust. The trust is tasked with providing “meaningful compensation” to former mineworkers who have contracted silicosis or work-related TB, including their dependants if they have passed away. The R2bn payouts mark brings the trust close to the halfway mark of the R5bn which was provisionally set aside in terms of the settlement, leaving claimants another four years to come forward or be located. However law firm Richard Spoor commented: “This does not mean that the trust is on track from our perspective.” Director George Khan said the provisional R5bn sum was the mines’ estimate of their liability based on relatively low prediction of class sizes, but the trust’s data now confirmed that they underestimated the number of silicosis claimants. “The liability the mining companies may finally incur may be beyond this value if sufficient class members come forward and are successfully processed. It is our hope that the trust should pay out more than R5bn in the end if the trust is permitted to perform its functions without interference” Khan said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacob Webster at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
'They were treated like animals', horrified deputy minister laments about Chinese-run sweatshop in Joburg CBD News24 reports that Deputy Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Jomo Sibiya was appalled by the conditions under which scores of undocumented Malawian workers were being held at Beautiful City, a Chinese-owned company in the Joburg city centre, which was raided in 2019. Recently, the South Gauteng High Court convicted seven Chinese nationals of a total of 158 charges – including human trafficking, debt bondage, and contravening the country's labour and immigration laws – linked to the company, which turned out to be a sweatshop. Sibiya, who attended Friday’s sentencing proceedings, labeled the conditions as "inhumane" and "terrible” and added: "They didn't even have access to their phones, they couldn't even contact their families, they couldn't even have access just to freedom. They were treated like animals. And you can't allow our people - in the 21st century - to be treated like slaves. It's like we're going back to the 18th and 16th century. And we can't; we're a constitutional democracy, and our laws must be respected." The 2019 raid, carried out by the DEL, Home Affairs and the Hawks, uncovered more than 90 undocumented Malawian nationals - 37 of them children - living and working in appalling conditions at the premises. Sibiya, who had been in court, described the case as groundbreaking, saying it would set a precedent and, he hoped, act as a deterrent to like-minded people. Sentencing proceedings were postponed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernadette Wicks at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Safa scrambles to find another technical director after Walter Steenbok quits in a huff City Press reports that the beleaguered SA Football Association (Safa) has been dealt a huge blow by the sudden resignation of its technical director, Walter Steenbok, on Thursday. Sources blamed internal politics at Safa House, adding that the no-nonsense administrator had raffled feathers during his tenure. "He questioned everything, and some people were not comfortable with that," said one source. Steenbok, a former chief scout for Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, was credited with bringing stability to Safa's technical department. He joined Safa in September 2022, filling the post vacated by former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey in June 2020. With two degrees in sports directorship and sports management, Steenbok is one of the most qualified administrators in the global game. He holds an MSc from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK and an MBA from Universidad Europea in Spain. Steenbok’s abrupt departure will see Safa scrambling to find a replacement. A technical director’s role is crucial in Safa’s strategy building and implementation of the national technical development programmes. Steenbok leads the Fifa talent development scheme (TDS), a programme designed to help Fifa member associations reach their full potential. An insider opined that Safa might have to approach Frans Mogashoa to take over the crucial position. Mogashoa is highly qualified for the job, having previously served as the head of Safa coaching education. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tiisetso Malepa at City Press (subscription or trial registration required)
First draft NHI regulations condemned by critics as their concerns have not been addressed BL Premium reports that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s publication of the first draft regulations for the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act has drawn swift condemnation from stakeholders dismayed that their concerns have not been addressed. The legislation aims to set in motion the ANC’s plan for universal health coverage, in which a government-controlled NHI Fund will be the sole purchaser of healthcare services for eligible patients. The draft regulations were published in the Government Gazette on Thursday, with a three-month public comment period. The Act faces four independent legal challenges. Motsoaledi has nevertheless flighted draft regulations setting out the proposed governance structure and processes of the NHI Fund. While President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to take stakeholders’ concerns into account when he signed the Act into law on the eve of last year’s May general election, he appears to have ignored these. Business Unity SA (Busa) has challenged the authority of the minister to issue regulations before the Act had been brought into effect. “According to our knowledge, the NHI Act is not effective because it has not been proclaimed by the president (and) therefore does not empower the minister to make regulations yet,” Busa CEO Khulekani Mathe pointed out. But health department deputy director-general for NHI Nicholas Crisp said the draft regulations had been gazetted “so that when the relevant sections of the act are promulgated the regulations are ready”. Trade union Solidarity, which has also taken legal action against the Act, said the government was taking an unacceptable financial risk by allocating funds to NHI. “While the finance minister is taking desperate measures to limit budget deficits, and tax increases seem to be inevitable, Motsoaledi is persisting with a financially unsustainable project by appointing a board for the NHI,” said Solidarity’s economics researcher Theuns du Buisson. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Questions over Prasa’s R18bn train-signalling contracts awarded to two joint ventures that didn’t meet minimum requirements News24 reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) awarded contractors two R18-billion train-signalling tenders in two months, despite the joint ventures concerned failing to meet a series of crucial requirements. In May and April 2023, Prasa awarded the Macre joint venture (JV) and CRIG Maziya JV two contracts worth R5.5 billion and R11.5 billion, respectively, to install train-signalling equipment. Documents, including contracts, memorandums, tender documents, and emails, show that both joint ventures failed to meet Prasa's minimum requirements for bidders to be considered for the two projects. But, while Macre and CRIG Maziya appear to be two different companies at face value, they are not as they are one and the same entity. Parties to both joint ventures include the same companies, namely Maziya General Services as lead partner, the China Railway International Group (CRIG) and the China Railway Wuhan Electrification Group (CRWE). Both CRIG and CRWE are owned by the China Railway Group, a construction conglomerate owned by the Chinese government. Macre's R5.5-billion contract was for the installation of train-signalling equipment in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. CRIG Maziya's was used to set up similar equipment in KwaZulu-Natal. Macre and CRIG Maziya failed to submit bid bonds worth 10% of the total value of their contracts, which alone should have instantly disqualified both companies. The two entities were not registered as joint ventures on the National Treasury's central supplier database (CSD). Neither were tax compliant, a crucial requirement. According to a dossier authored by a whistleblower, Prasa's executives allegedly unlawfully, wrongfully, and deliberately paid the R2.6 billion to Maziya General Services, an entity not contracted to Prasa. Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said the parastatal took the whistleblower's report seriously and would appoint an independent investigation to look into the allegations. Read the extensive report in the above regard by Sipho Masondo at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Read too, Allegations of fraudulent payments amounting to billions at Prasa, at GroundUp
Former senior policeman sentenced to six years for sexual harassment Sunday Tribune reports that the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court last week sentenced a former senior police officer to six years for the 13 counts of sexual harassment he faced. Lieutenant General Vivian Vivani Zuma, 54, was previously a station commander at the SA Police Service (SAPS) Umzinto, where his victims, two policewomen, opened sexual assault cases against him. Zuma, who was convicted in October, was deployed with the Port Shepstone’s SAPS cluster office before he left the force in December, marking an end to 34 years of service. The two women, one a constable and the other a sergeant, alleged that acts of sexually inappropriate conduct usually occurred behind a closed door. Zuma would apparently summon them to his office on separate occasions, and that was where the inappropriate touching, groping, grabbing, and making of sexually suggestive comments occurred. The alleged sexual harassment incidents occurred predominantly towards the latter part of 2018. Apart from criminal charges, Zuma was also previously subjected to the SAPS’ internal disciplinary processes, based on the victims' complaints. He was cleared of any wrongdoing in respect of the constable and was suspended for two months regarding the claims made by the sergeant. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Sunday Tribune
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